Act against errant builders

NST 23/02/2001 By Sumitha Martin

PETALING JAYA, Thurs. - Swift action by area officers of local authorities is needed to help curb violations by certain housing developers. Early enforcement by such authorities through their area officers will prevent "black sheep" developers from cheating purchasers, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said today.

He said after launching the Virtual Property Fair and the property portal PropertyInside.com at the Summit shopping centre in USJ. He said it was the job of these area officers to carry out constant surveys of development projects and to institute immediate enforcement measures against violations, such as carrying out development without approval from local authorities.

Local authorities should not wait until the project is completed and sold, before taking action, Ong added. Last August, Ong had said local authorities had been directed to appoint area officers who would monitor violations in their respective areas and refer them for further action.

Ong today added that it would be more difficult for developers to get away with such violations once the Housing Developers Act 1961 was amended. The amendments would introduce stiffer penalties and other deterrents affecting housing developers and are being studied by the Attorney-General's Chambers before being presented to Cabinet in March, said Ong.

The PropertyInside.com website, which is run by Propertyinside.com (M) Sdn Bhd, is a one-stop information centre for prospective home buyers and also serves as a marketing tool for property developers. The Virtual Property Fair at the Summit comprises booths featuring housing projects and on-line facilities through which buyers can view information on the projects. The website currently features 20 housing projects.